Three U.S. Brewster Buffalo fighters fly over a British Bristol Blenheim bomber at an airfield in Singapore before the territory was taken by the Japanese in 1942.

Three U.S. Brewster Buffalo fighters fly over a British Bristol Blenheim bomber at an airfield in Singapore before the territory was taken by the Japanese in 1942.

Photo: Three Lions, Getty Images

Three U.S. Brewster Buffalo fighters fly over a British Bristol... Photo-5441086.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Grumman F6F Hellcat was developed in direct response to the Japanese Zero.

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was developed in direct response to the Japanese Zero.

Photo: MPI, Getty Images

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was developed in direct response to the... Photo-5441087.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II.

The Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

The Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber which dropped the first atomic bomb... Photo-5441088.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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A B-25 bomber taking off from the USS Hornet on a bombing raid of Tokyo.

A B-25 bomber taking off from the USS Hornet on a bombing raid of Tokyo.

Photo: MPI, Getty Images

A B-25 bomber taking off from the USS Hornet on a bombing raid of... Photo-5441089.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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A Spitfire aircraft in flight.

A Spitfire aircraft in flight.

Photo: Michael Dunning, Getty Images

A Spitfire aircraft in flight. Photo-5441090.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Tomahawk, was one of the U.S. planes brought over as aid to Britain.

The Tomahawk, was one of the U.S. planes brought over as aid to Britain.

Photo: Topical Press Agency, Getty Images

The Tomahawk, was one of the U.S. planes brought over as aid to... Photo-5441078.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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A formation of American Navy Avenger planes, the versatile torpedo-bombers that have helped rout the Japanese naval force in several battles in the Pacific.

A formation of American Navy Avenger planes, the versatile torpedo-bombers that have helped rout the Japanese naval force in several battles in the Pacific.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

A formation of American Navy Avenger planes, the versatile... Photo-5441079.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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A squadron of German Messerschmitt 110 fighter-bombers in formation.

A squadron of German Messerschmitt 110 fighter-bombers in formation.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

A squadron of German Messerschmitt 110 fighter-bombers in formation. Photo-5441080.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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A German Messerschmitt MR 109 fighter camouflaged to blend in with the African desert.

A German Messerschmitt MR 109 fighter camouflaged to blend in with the African desert.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

A German Messerschmitt MR 109 fighter camouflaged to blend in with... Photo-5441081.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Alchi D3A2 (Val) fighter is one of the type of aircraft used by the Japanese navy in its attacks on Pearl Harbor and in the sinking of HMS Hermes in the Pacific Ocean.

The Alchi D3A2 (Val) fighter is one of the type of aircraft used by the Japanese navy in its attacks on Pearl Harbor and in the sinking of HMS Hermes in the Pacific Ocean.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

The Alchi D3A2 (Val) fighter is one of the type of aircraft used by... Photo-5441082.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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The German Messerschmitt 262A-I, one of the earliest jet aircraft.

The German Messerschmitt 262A-I, one of the earliest jet aircraft.

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

The German Messerschmitt 262A-I, one of the earliest jet aircraft. Photo-5441083.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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Four U.S. Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter planes in 1943. Before the addition of the white bars with red borders on either side, the central star was indistinguishable from a distance from the Japanese Rising Sun and the German Cross. less

Four U.S. Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter planes in 1943. Before the addition of the white bars with red borders on either side, the central star was indistinguishable from a distance from the Japanese Rising Sun ... more

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

Four U.S. Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter planes in 1943. Before the... Photo-5441065.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

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A group of US Navy Douglas Dauntless dive-bombers prepare for a run on Japanese-held Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, 1944.

A group of US Navy Douglas Dauntless dive-bombers prepare for a run on Japanese-held Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, 1944.

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

A group of US Navy Douglas Dauntless dive-bombers prepare for a run... Photo-5441066.73743 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 17 of 41

Modified American B-25 Mitchell bomber flying over Japanese anti aircraft gun emplacements during a strafing run after a bombing mission.

Modified American B-25 Mitchell bomber flying over Japanese anti aircraft gun emplacements during a strafing run after a bombing mission.